Supermodel Secrets to Getting Super-Flattering Lighting at Home

Whenever models, actresses, and entertainers are asked what the secret is to looking good behind a lens, they always say, “It’s all about good lighting.” Ideally, we’d be constantly enveloped in the rich, rosy, and romantic natural light photographers refer to as “the golden hour.” But the reality is, lighting designers leverage a lot of stealthy tricks on set to capture even the most flawless supermodel in her best light, and to bring life to dark, dim interiors. So we asked lighting industry vet Don Peifer how those of us who still call our supers to change a bulb can apply some of those tricks to our homes. (After spending a few decades illuminating Gisele, Angelina, and Gwyneth for photogs like Annie Leibovitz and Steven Klein, enhancing J.Lo’s and Madonna’s intrinsic glows for music videos, and designing his own residential and commercial light fixtures, he’s the guy to ask.) Here are Peifer’s dead-simple tips for bringing the secrets of “beauty lighting” home from the set.

1. Learn bulb basics.
Most of us don’t give a thought to what lightbulbs we use—we just grab whichever box is the cheapest. But bulb choices do matter. Avoid fluorescent bulbs (including CFLs, which stands for “compact fluorescent lamps”) at all costs. The light they emit is poor quality and casts a murky greenish haze that’s very unflattering. (Plus, used fluorescent bulbs need to be disposed of properly so they don’t release mercury into the environment.) LEDs cast a cleaner, more flattering glow. Look for bulbs that have an info chart on the packaging, and buy those with a color accuracy rating of 90 or higher, and a color temperature of around 2700K for clean, soft, warm light that says “home.”

2. Layer and stage your fixtures.
Simply flipping on a single overhead light every time you walk through the door creates an environment that’s harsh and one-dimensional. Give yourself options by staggering different types of fixtures, including floor and table lamps with shades to diffuse the glow, pendant or task lamps, recessed can lighting, and sconces or other wall-mounted fixtures. Having different types of sources at varying heights and levels of diffusion will give your rooms depth and dimension.

3. Light the walls and hide the sources.
This photo shoot motto holds true at home, too. “Good lighting is like impeccable service at a restaurant: It shouldn’t be seen,” says Peifer. Employ this strategy by placing fixtures out of plain sight (behind plants, furniture, et cetera) and bouncing their light off your walls. The effect is a flattering, indirect glow with less glare. Plus, it transforms your walls from unseen backdrops into canvases.

4. Get adjusted.
Light sources with basic on/off switches don’t give you options for nuanced levels of brightness. Get more control by shopping for floor and table lamps with built-in dimmer switches, or buy corded dimming devices for those you already own. Homeowners (and dedicated renters) can easily install wall-mounted dimmers for integrated light sources like overheads and sconces.

5. Prime your bathroom for beauty.
You may have heard the recommendation to apply makeup in daylight, but Peifer disagrees: “Since natural light is constantly changing with the time of day, weather, and season, it’s never consistent,” he says. Instead, he recommends punching up the levels of ambient light in your bathroom with more fixtures than you would in the rest of your home. Outfit them with the warmest LED bulbs you can find. (Again, consult the bulb packaging for a color temperature chart, and don’t forget to avoid the ghoulish green light of fluorescents.) “Applying makeup well requires high visual acuity,” says Peifer. “With high levels of warm light, you’ll see everything you need to—including blemishes or the edges of makeup that aren’t properly blended. You’ll get a true read of how you look before you walk out the door.”

6. Don’t fear the dark side.
“Composers and writers often say their notes and words aren’t what’s most important,” says Peifer. “The real art comes in the pauses and spaces—what they don’t put in. And the same goes for lighting.” So in addition to using fixtures to highlight certain areas of beauty or utility, don’t be afraid to play around with darkness to de-emphasize certain spaces, or to create a space for the eye to rest.